JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 3

[tiggrbaby]

Can anyone tell me if I need to book Boma if I am staying at AKL? It would be for my birthday night. Are the birthday cakes really expensive/good? Can the IP get anything special? Do I have to pay anything extra besides my club level room fee?

I mentioned we were celebrating my son's graduation at Boma (we had a large group) and they gave him a card signed by some of the staff and board that had "Congratulations" spelled out in chocolate and small sweets attached with chocolate:

 

[Tig-girl]

I mentioned we were celebrating my son's graduation at Boma (we had a large group) and they gave him a card signed by some of the staff and board that had "Congratulations" spelled out in chocolate and small sweets attached with chocolate:

Wow! This trip is actually my DS high school graduation gift! Glad you gave me the idea to tell them that when we go places to dine! It'd be so neat for them to do something special for him. Thanks for the idea!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wow! This trip is actually my DS high school graduation gift! Glad you gave me the idea to tell them that when we go places to dine! It'd be so neat for them to do something special for him. Thanks for the idea!

It was actually my son's graduation party to accomodate my in-laws. He did not want to have a party at home when he graduated, so we told him he had to have a party when we were down there to celebrate his dad's BD (which they switched offsite, but that's another story!) since one member of the family insisted we must have a party and we must invite everyone.

But I would definite mention it on the reservation that you are celebrating the big event, not only for all the dining, but for the room, too. You never know when you will be sprinkled with pixie dust!

 

[SharonLowe]

Can anyone tell me if I need to book Boma if I am staying at AKL? It would be for my birthday night. Are the birthday cakes really expensive/good? Can the IP get anything special? Do I have to pay anything extra besides my club level room fee?

Yes, you need a n ADR. And, the best thing to do is to contact the IPO and ask. Sometimes the restaurant does something. And, you can order cakes to be delivered as part of a dinner - you will have to pay for them however. It must be done ahead of time since the bakery is separate from the restaurant. Also, sometimes the CL staff will do something special for your b'day. It just depends.

 

[amycishere]

Thanks everyone so much!!

Now someone posted that the construction noise on the 4th floor is horrible and that is where they are moving the club level. Don assured me the noise would be minimal...now I am worried again. These boards make my emotions go up and down!! Ahhh!

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks everyone so much!!

Now someone posted that the construction noise on the 4th floor is horrible and that is where they are moving the club level. Don assured me the noise would be minimal...now I am worried again. These boards make my emotions go up and down!! Ahhh!

I saw that post. What you need to remember is that what's happening there today (construction-wise) will be very different even several weeks from now. They are doing some of the heavy-duty construction now and obviously it is impacting some of the guests. October is still far enough away that much of the work will be completed by then.

Put your faith in Don (and the others at IPO). As you get closer to your vacation dates, talk to IPO again for the latest information - and extra reassurances.

Above all, remember that it is YOUR vacation and Disney wants you to love YOUR vacation so much that you'll keep coming back!! If you are unhappy with a situation once you get there, there are many CMs who will go out of their way for you to make it right! Now relax!!!

 

[amycishere]

I saw that post. What you need to remember is that what's happening there today (construction-wise) will be very different even several weeks from now. They are doing some of the heavy-duty construction now and obviously it is impacting some of the guests. October is still far enough away that much of the work will be completed by then.

Put your faith in Don (and the others at IPO). As you get closer to your vacation dates, talk to IPO again for the latest information - and extra reassurances.

Above all, remember that it is YOUR vacation and Disney wants you to love YOUR vacation so much that you'll keep coming back!! If you are unhappy with a situation once you get there, there are many CMs who will go out of their way for you to make it right! Now relax!!!

Thanks alot. You are very sweet and reassuring. *hugs back*

 

[PolyAddict]

For all of the experts-

What will be going on at AKL late May or June 2008?

Will construction on villas be done?

Will the lodge share bus service with villas?

I had a wonderful time June 4-10 and I am wondering if the addition of the villas affect the next trip?

I will need a deluxe room this trip because there will be 5 of us. Is it true they will be hard to come by?

Thanks is advance.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

How quickly does the Sunrise Safari fill up?

I have been stalking the WDW reservations website for weeks trying to modify our existing ressie to change it to AKL CL. It just opened up on one night during our October vacation, and the sunrise safari is the next day. I snagged it via the phone just now!

I found the IPO email address and I have already emailed them about availability for that morning, as a birthday surprise for DH!

Do you think this late out they will have availability? He has always wanted to do this, and now we might be able to!

Can you pass me some pixie dust, PLEASE! Come on...have an opening for us!

 

[WickedWench]

How quickly does the Sunrise Safari fill up?

I have been stalking the WDW reservations website for weeks trying to modify our existing ressie to change it to AKL CL. It just opened up on one night during our October vacation, and the sunrise safari is the next day. I snagged it via the phone just now!

I found the IPO email address and I have already emailed them about availability for that morning, as a birthday surprise for DH!

Do you think this late out they will have availability? He has always wanted to do this, and now we might be able to!

Can you pass me some pixie dust, PLEASE! Come on...have an opening for us!

I just booked one night concierge and Sunrise Safari yesterday for 10/21. I had more problems getting the room than I did the safari! CRO said no rooms were available but I got one online. Anyway, once I booked, I left a message on the voicemail for the AKL itinerary planning office and they got back to me within a few hours and I got the tickets for the safari no problem.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Thank you Wicked Wench...I'll call them right now!

 

[pilferk]

For all of the experts-

What will be going on at AKL late May or June 2008?

Will construction on villas be done?

Will the lodge share bus service with villas?

I had a wonderful time June 4-10 and I am wondering if the addition of the villas affect the next trip?

I will need a deluxe room this trip because there will be 5 of us. Is it true they will be hard to come by?

Thanks is advance.

1) The last phase of construction at Jambo (aka the existing lodge) is scheduled to be complete in late April (with opening in early May) of '08.

2) Yes, at least for the villas contained in Jambo house (the existing lodge). Nobody is quite sure what's going to happen with Kidani, but it's been reported that they will continue to share service when Kidani opens in '09. I doubt you'll see MUCH difference until then, since the conversion at Jambo is using existing rooms....so the level of occupancy isn't TOO much higher than what it was previously.

3) I doubt you'll notice any difference, except for one "small" thing......which is your next question.

4) By next May/June (and probably more like by January or February, if not even earlier) there will be NO MORE deluxe rooms at AKL. Every deluxe room is being converted into DVC villa space.....so if you're a party of 5, your only real option at AKL now is to rent a suite or a 1BR DVC villa, either through CRO or by renting member points.

 

[PolyAddict]

1) The last phase of construction at Jambo (aka the existing lodge) is scheduled to be complete in late April (with opening in early May) of '08.

2) Yes, at least for the villas contained in Jambo house (the existing lodge). Nobody is quite sure what's going to happen with Kidani, but it's been reported that they will continue to share service when Kidani opens in '09. I doubt you'll see MUCH difference until then, since the conversion at Jambo is using existing rooms....so the level of occupancy isn't TOO much higher than what it was previously.

3) I doubt you'll notice any difference, except for one "small" thing......which is your next question.

4) By next May/June (and probably more like by January or February, if not even earlier) there will be NO MORE deluxe rooms at AKL. Every deluxe room is being converted into DVC villa space.....so if you're a party of 5, your only real option at AKL now is to rent a suite or a 1BR DVC villa, either through CRO or by renting member points.

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like AKL will not be an option when the whole family travels, maybe I'll have to sacrifice someone? I don't suppose anyone knows any pricing info on the 1 bedroom villas? Can CRO even quote me for my dates, yet?

 

[pilferk]

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like AKL will not be an option when the whole family travels, maybe I'll have to sacrifice someone? I don't suppose anyone knows any pricing info on the 1 bedroom villas? Can CRO even quote me for my dates, yet?

I don't think CRO has released '08 rates yet. You MIGHT be able to book "something" using the '07 rate as a placeholder (which I think someone said might be around $425 per night?? Anyone confirm that? Or was that for the studios??) but I'm not even sure if CRO has added AKV inventory into their system yet, since NONE of the villas open until July, and most don't open until Sept and December.

If you decided to rent points, we're inside the 11 month window (for most of May, anyway...I'm not sure how familiar you are with DVC, but owners at AKV can book an entire stay 11 months out from date of checkout) so an AKV owner could quote and book for you. Typically (and I'm just going by what I see on the rent trade board...I've not ever, nor do I plan to, rent points) they rent from between $10 and $15 per point. A savannah view 1 BR villa in may and the first 1/3 of June will run you about 234 points.

We're a bit away from the 7 month window, but owners at "other" resorts can rent to you and book your stay at 7 months from your date of check out.

 

[PolyAddict]

I don't think CRO has released '08 rates yet. You MIGHT be able to book "something" using the '07 rate as a placeholder (which I think someone said might be around $425 per night?? Anyone confirm that? Or was that for the studios??) but I'm not even sure if CRO has added AKV inventory into their system yet, since NONE of the villas open until July, and most don't open until Sept and December.

If you decided to rent points, we're inside the 11 month window (for most of May, anyway...I'm not sure how familiar you are with DVC, but owners at AKV can book an entire stay 11 months out from date of checkout) so an AKV owner could quote and book for you. Typically (and I'm just going by what I see on the rent trade board...I've not ever, nor do I plan to, rent points) they rent from between $10 and $15 per point. A savannah view 1 BR villa in may and the first 1/3 of June will run you about 234 points.

We're a bit away from the 7 month window, but owners at "other" resorts can rent to you and book your stay at 7 months from your date of check out.

Thanks Pilferk, I am for sure a DVC Dummy. I guess it's something I'll need to figure out if we want to stay at AKl in the future as a family. Right now the vote is leaning towards Poly for summer 08, so I guess that's probably what I am going to end up booking.

 

[pilferk]

Thanks Pilferk, I am for sure a DVC Dummy. I guess it's something I'll need to figure out if we want to stay at AKl in the future as a family. Right now the vote is leaning towards Poly for summer 08, so I guess that's probably what I am going to end up booking.

I wouldn't consider anyone who has not been exposed to something a "dummy".

DVC can be a pretty steep learning curve...maybe not as complex as some timeshares, but certainly more complex (IMHO) than simply dealing with CRO.

If you ever need any DVC guidance, I can't recommend highly enough the DVC boards right here at the DIS. They can pretty much answer any question you have on all things DVC...and AKV discussion is all the rage right now. It's where I started MY research before we "took the plunge" in buying, and many prospective renters start out there asking questions to prep themselves for diving into the Rent/Trade boards. I'm pretty new to the system myself, but feel free to PM me...or post here if it's DVC AKL related...and I'd be happy to answer whatever I can (which might not be much! ).

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

I'm all set! SUNRISE SAFARI...HERE WE COME! Shhhhh...it's a surprise for DH's b-day! Don at IPO is AWESOME!

 

[disneytraveler]

I'm all set! SUNRISE SAFARI...HERE WE COME! Shhhhh...it's a surprise for DH's b-day! Don at IPO is AWESOME!

You will have a great time on the Sunrise Safari. I really enjoyed it. Don is great to work with , i agree!

 

[stepdisney]

I still can't believe I can't get a room at AKL I've tried three times a day for over a week and it's like Fort Knox...can't get in. Just thought I'd post (heavy sigh)

 

[MushyMushy]

I have a public service announcement for those of you who ever tried the Nyami Nyami at the pool bar. When I went to order one the bartender told me that he couldn't make it because they wouldn't send him Amarula anymore.

I'd been looking forward to that drink all year!

DH asked around and found out that the bartender at Victoria Falls knows how to make it, and the bartender at Jiko knows how to make it. (and now we do too ) So basically, if those bartenders leave, the Nyami Nyami is no more.

Please, folks, let's keep the Nyami Nyami going!